By Tricitynews Reporter
Chandigarh
18th July:- The Governor, Punjab and
Administrator UT Chandigarh V.P.Singh Badnore while addressing the interface of
Punjab Government here today at the Indian School of Business with the Indian
Heritage Hotel Association asked the Government of Punjab to introduce
innovative ideas which were required for promotion of heritage tourism in
Punjab. He called upon the Indian Heritage Hotel Association, for extending its
expertise in conservation of heritage and development of tourism in the state.
V.P.Singh Badnore appreciated the
passion and acumen of the Tourism Minister, Navjot Singh Sidhu by which he has
taken the entire concept of promoting Heritage tourism. He said that a detailed
discussion with the representatives of IHHA on how tourism and culture can help
in creating job avenues especially in the rural areas of the State has already
taken place and modalities are being worked out to formulate the plans.
The Punjab State would be on the
forefront in developing heritage tourism and there was a great scope for
converting a lot of these heritage properties, lying in shambles, into
destinations including wedding destination, said the Governor.
Tourism and Cultural Affairs
Minister, Punjab, Navjot Singh Sidhu said that punjab has been the frontline
state of the country in every other sphere and now the time has come to
showcase the amazing prowess of the state in tourism sector also for which the
State Government would not leave any stone unturned. Emphatically putting
forward his line of action here today at the Indian School of Business, Navjot
Singh Sidhu said that the state has immense potential to emerge as the leading
player on global stage in the tourism sector and to ensure this, the state
government is in the process of coming out with a comprehensive policy as
taking Punjab to the heights of tourism sector is the dream envisaged by the
Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh.
Making a water tight case in favour
of Punjab to be numero uno on both tourism and cultural fronts, Navjot Singh
Sidhu said that the time is ripe for the arrival of 'Brand Punjab' on world
stage with a bang. He also said that meticulous planning and strategizing is
the need of the hour to promote and market 'Brand Punjab' in the entire globe.
He also said that the main purpose of this historic interaction made possible
due to the initiative and as per the directions of the Governor, Punjab V.P.
Singh Badnore and the Chief Minister, Captain Amarinder Singh is to bring into
focus the potential that Punjab holds in the tourism sector.
Underlining the importance of the NRI
community in taking the mission to pinnacle of success, the minister said that
the NRIs yearn deeply for reconnecting with their glorious cultural and
historical roots back home in Punjab so they must be made partners in the
development of the state on tourism front through proper policy planning.
Perfectly articulating his vision to
transform Punjab into a Tourism superpower, Navjot Singh Sidhu revealed that
the 4 circuits namely- Maharaja circuit, Mughal circuit, Sufi circuit and
Spiritual circuit would act as the game changers for the state from the point
of view of taking tourism sector to the un-scaled heights. He also disclosed
that the religious circuit would connect 3 takht sahibans in the state ( Sri
Akal Takht Sahib Amritsar, Sri Kesgarh Sahib Sri Anandpur Sahib, and Damdama
Sahib, Talwandi Sabo), Fatehgarh Sahib and Chamkaur Sahib whereas the Maharaja
Circuit would include connecting Quila Mubarak Patiala, Sheesh Mahal, Bathinda
Fort, Darbar Hall Sangrur, Maharaja Jagatjit Palace and Bagghikhana Kapurthala.
Under Mughal circuit, various sarais namely-Shambhu, Doraha, Nakodar, Nurmahal,
Coronation place of Mughal Emperor Jalal-ud-Din Muhammad Akbar in Kalanaur
(Gurdaspur) would be connected whereas under the Sufi circuit – Roza Sharif
Sirhind, places related to Baba Sheikh Farid in Faridkot besides those related
with Baba Bulle Shah would be connect. He also said that deliberations are on
to allow use of various forts in Punjab as wedding destinations while making
tent arrangements for tourists at places like-Aam Khas Bagh Sirhind.
Navjot Singh Sidhu also divulged that
the boost to the tourism sector in the state would result in the economy of the
state besides playing a yeoman's role in generating adequate employment
opportunities for the youth of the state. He further said that tourism sphere
has the ability to run an entire country leave alone a state provided that
adequate and serious preparations go into making any place a viable tourist
destination.
Addressing on the occasion, the
President of IHHA, Maharaja Gaj Singh (Jodhpur) said that Navjot Singh Sidhu is
making herculean efforts towards transforming Punjab into a tourism hub and
lauding the efforts said that bold decisions are a sure recipe for success. He
also stressed on the applicability of unique and novel ideas to carry the
mission forward besides working with single minded devotion.
Earlier, the Principal Secretary,
Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Punjab Jaspal Singh highlighted through a power
point presentation the serious endeavour of the department to finalize the
draft of the proposed tourism policy. On the occasion, Consultant Abha Narain
Lamba, working for restoring cultural sites of Punjab to their former glory,
perfectly showcased through a presentation the religious, historical and
culturally important buildings and monuments which could attract the tourists
in a fairly large number. Conducting the stage, the Director, Tourism and
Cultural Affairs, Shivdular Singh Dhillon brought into focus the finer points
of important tourist landmarks in the state and threw light on the culturally
significant sites of Patiala.
In his presentation on the Northern
Ireland, Lord Daljit Rana said that the place attracts the number of tourists
twice its population and termed tourism as the backbone of the economy of
Northern Ireland. The Honorary General Secretary of the IHHA, Thakur
Randhir Vikram Singh gave detailed insight into the heritage hotels situated
across the country and expressed happiness over the fact that the State
Government has shown special interest in this sector resulting in sincere
efforts to preserve heritage of Punjab as well as chalking out a comprehensive
tourism policy. He also said that till today, there is not a single heritage
hotel in Punjab whereas these are successfully running in various other states.
The CMD of the Neemrana Hotels Aman Nath strongly advocated that the Punjabi
people should proudly profess their identity which would be an important factor
in making Punjab a global giant in tourism sector.
